Day 20 – When things go wrong…

Well…there are sometimes days like this.

Originally, the intention today was to leave Arran and catch the ferry to Ardrossan, take the train to Glasgow Central, and then the train down to Manchester. None of that happened.

Firstly, a problem was found with the safety of the pier at Ardrossan so that all ferries to Arran have to leave from Troon. I caught the ferry to Troon and then the train to Glasgow Central. At about this time, a goods train (carrying freight / cargo) had an accident between Oxenholme and Lancaster, so I was advised to travel to Edinburgh and catch the train to Manchester from there. I walked across to Queen Street and caught the express to Edinburgh (an excellent service) only to find that the trains from Edinburgh to Manchester were not running. The only answer was to catch the London King’s Cross train to York (see the image of the station roof) and then take the trans-pennine service to Manchester Piccadilly. This worked well. I arrived four hours later than I should have, but at least I arrived.

Today’s journey was Brodick (ferry) to Troon, train to Glasgow Central, walk to Queen Street, train to Edinburgh, train to York, train to Manchester Piccadilly. Everyone at Waverly station in Edinburgh was very helpful as too were York station staff and the LNER officials on the Edinburgh to London train.